ST. LOUIS – The former comptroller of a northern Illinois town was indicted Thursday on 60 felony theft counts linked to her suspected swindling of more than $53 million in taxpayer funds to support her lavish lifestyle and horse-breeding operation.

Until Thursday, Rita Crundwell, 59, had faced only one federal charge of wire fraud under initial suspicion that she bilked millions of dollars from Dixon while drawing an $80,000 a year salary. She was arrested in April, and has pleaded not guilty.

The new charges were returned by a Lee County grand jury. Each count accuses her of stealing more than $100,000 in government property from January 2010 through April, although authorities believe Crundwell’s theft may date to 1990. Each felony is punishable by up to 30 years in prison.